From research to recycling: Austria’s battery expertise stands out

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global demand for batteries will increase tenfold by 2030. Austria is ready: more than 100 companies and start-ups, over 100 R&D projects and three COMET competence centres are driving innovation, such as the recently opened COMET centre Battery4LifeBattery4Life () in Graz. The result is an ecosystem where research, industry and policymakers are tightly interlinked and where international partnerships take shape.

Industry and research: Austria’s power duo

Austria excels through intelligence across the entire value chain. Companies such as AVL, MIBA Battery SystemsMIBA Battery Systems () and Samsung SDI develop battery systems that are safe and efficient. AVL underscores its leadership through the Battery Innovation CenterBattery Innovation Center () in Graz, which focuses on development and simulation of battery systems for e-mobility. Samsung SDISamsung SDI () operates a technology centre for battery systems in Kalsdorf. And NGEN Austria is accelerating the roll-out of large-scale battery storage. Read more: How NGEN is driving Austria’s energy transition.

Research institutions such as TU GrazTU Graz (), the Montanuniversität Leoben and the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT)Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) () play a decisive role in battery safety, recycling and materials science—strengthening the connection between industry and research. Clusters such as Green Tech ValleyGreen Tech Valley (), AC Styria and Silicon AlpsSilicon Alps () combine expertise in recycling, sensor technology and software. They link more than 200 companies and research institutions to develop solutions for battery management, second-life applications and the circular economy. Funding schemes such as those of the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) accelerate developments still further.

Start-ups are bringing novel battery solutions to market readiness: ProtectLiBProtectLiB () in Graz develops recycling technologies for lithium-ion batteries. AccuPowerAccuPower () is advancing sodium-ion batteries to series-production maturity. Another example is the BattBoxBattBox () project. The consortium comprising Fill, TU Graz, AVL and the Upper Austrian Automotive Cluster is developing multi-stage recycling processes for lithium-ion batteries. The aim is to extend remaining service life, recover raw materials and make disassembly more efficient.

Styria as a stage for Europe’s battery future

Styria is home to solutions for battery management systems, power electronics, software and testing infrastructure. Around 70 companies and research institutes are active along the entire value chain. The focus is on technology-driven segments rather than mass production.

Through an eighteen-month pilot process, the region has shown how strategic location development succeeds. The Styrian Business Promotion Agency (SFG) coordinated stakeholders from industry, research and politics to build an ecosystem spanning material research, testing and second-life concepts. The outcome is a blueprint for new technology fields and a contribution to Europe’s technological sovereignty. On 2 and 3 December, more than 500 international experts will gather in Graz for the Battery Innovation DaysBattery Innovation Days (), setting new impulses for Europe’s battery technologies.

You can find more facts, insights and contacts in our new brochure: Battery technology in AustriaBattery technology in Austria ()